San Diego extends paid 'Employ and Empower' internship program; mayor signs resolution

San Diego has extended its Employ and Empower internship program, and Mayor Todd Gloria signed a resolution to continue it, the city reported.

The program, funded with state grant funds through the youth services core, places students as young as 16 in a range of city offices, including city council offices, San Diego Fire Rescue, Parks and Recreation, the police department and the public library. City officials say the program is paid and meant to prepare students for careers in public service.

A first-generation college student who has taken part in the program described it as more accessible than many internships. “I am very grateful for this program because as a first generation college student, a lot of the times internships like these seem very inaccessible or unachievable, especially if they are unpaid,” the student said. The student added, “And luckily, this opportunity is paid, so I was able to continue my education while also getting hands on experience.”

Since the program began in 2022, the city says it has helped more than 1,400 San Diegans launch public service careers.

The extension continues placements across multiple city departments and keeps the program funded through the state grant streams identified by city staff. The transcript does not specify the resolution number, the exact grant amount, or the timeline for the extended funding.